Nonslip floor



Oct. 9, 1928.

D. J. MURNANE NONSLIP FLOOR Filed June 14, 192 v FIE'ELE.

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arroezvzYs Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

UNITED STATES DANIEL J'. MURNANE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

NON SLIP FLOOR.

Application filed June 14, 1924. Serial No. 720,080.

My invention relates to a floor and particularly to a floor on which the danger of slipping is removed.

An object of my invention is to provide a non-slip floor of general utility and particularly suitable for use in corridors, elevator landings and stairs, where tile or terrazzo floors are now commonly used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a non-slip floor which lends itself to decorative treatment.

My invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing will be set forth in the following description of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by said drawings and descrip tion, as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of my non-slip floor.

Figure 2 is a cross section of the floor, the plane of section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the un derside of the non-slip element or plate in its simplest form, and before it is set or inlaidin the floor.

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a plan view and a central vertical sectional view of a modified form of my invention.

Figure 6 is a central vertical sectional view of another embodiment of my invention.

Figures 7 and 8 are respectively, a plan vie and a vertical sectional view of another modified form of my invention. The plane of section of Figure 8 is indicated by the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional View of one of my non-slip inlays set in a previously laid marble floor.

The slippery surfaces of tile or terrazzo floors such as are now commonly used in public halls. stairways, corridors. or elevator landings are dangerous and have been the cause of many accidents. The difficulty may be overcome by placing carpet or mats over the floor but this is not always practicable. I have developed an improved floor, on which the possibility of slipping is reduced to a minimum, which can be installed at relatively low cost and which presents an attractive sur face which may be Varied as to pattern and appearance without sacrifice of its essentially protective nature.

Broadly my invention comprises the placing of non-slip plates or inlays in a floor formed usually of a hardened plastic material, such as cement which may be of any suitable characteristic as to color and texture. The plate may be arranged in the floor in any suitable pattern of closely spaced units so that an attractive decorative effect may be secured. A floor, in accordance with my invention, is preferably formed of separately made tiles, but it may be laid directly on a suitable foundation if desired.

In greater detail my invention comprises a plate 2. preferably made of a non-slip material. Due to its high frictional resistance and low cost, I have found lead very satisfactory. In the specification I shall refer to lead, but it is to be understood that any other non-slip material having satisfactory wearing qualities may be used. The plates 2 are preferably cast and may be made in any desired configuration, but I prefer to make them round. Studs 3 are formed integral with the plates and are preferably inclined sufficiently to the plane of the lower surface of the plate to form locking or anchoring means for holding the plates in stable fixed position in the floor.

I have found it advisable to have the floor made up in sections or tiles 4 which may be laid on the foundation 5 as shown in Figure 2, the lines 6 and 7 in Figure 1 indicating where the tiles join. The separate tiles for the floor are formed in the following manner. The plates 2 are placed in a suitable mold, top face down, in any desired pattern of closely spaced units, and the cement 8 of any suitable character filled in over the plates. As the cement sets the studs 3 are locked in it and form anchors for holding the plates in the cement. After removing the tiles from the mold it may be desirable to surface the top before laying them on the foundation 5 in the usual manner or the surfacing may be effected after laying the tiles.

Many varied and attractive effects may be secured by placing the plates 2 in a flange ring or shell 9 made of a different and preferably harder metal. For example, I have produced a very attractive floor by surrounding the lead plates with a brass shell 9 including a flange 10 which extends under the plate 2 and terminates in an undercut edge 11 so that the plate is locked therein. The shells used for this purpose are usually stamped out of a sheet of metal and are formed with a slight draft to permit the ready disengagement of the shell from the die. The studs 3 on the plate serve to anchor both the plate and ring in the cement. The contrasting appearance between the cement, the brass ring, and the lead plate present an attractive surface, and the eifectiveness of the non-slip plate is not lessened.

In Figure 6 I have shown another modified form of the invention. The shell 12 is formed in substantially the same manner as described above except that the bottom flange 13 extends further in to form a smaller aperture 14 in the center. The shell 12 is seated on a plate 15, the ends of which are bent downwardly to form the anchoring studs 16. An aperture 17 is provided in the plate 15 in register with the aperture 14 in the shell, so that when the lead is poured into the shell a locking rivet 18 is formed which secures the plate. The entire inlay is then ready for use and may be set in the tile or floor in the same manner as described before.

Figures 7 and 8 show still another embodiment of my invention. The shell 21 similar to the shell 12 described above except that the aperture 14 is omitted, has sections of the bottom struck downwardly to form anchoring studs 22 in the tile and smaller sections struck upwardly from the bottom to form studs 23 which serve a similar purpose in the lead. This form has the advantage of cheapness of manufacture; and it also gives greater strength to the edge of the cement surrounding it, on account of the greater included angle.

Sometimes it may be desirable to use my invention in a floor already laid, as for example in a marble floor which it is not practicable to relay. In such a case, it is preferable to remove the portion of the floor where it is desired to place the non-slip inlays and replace such portion with the tile in the manner already described. It would also be pos sible to cut shallow circular depressions 26 in the floor 27, as shown in Figure 9, and the non-slip inlays then set in cement 28 in these recesses, flush with the floor. Such a practice will be found advisable in marble or terrazzo floors before doors and elevators.

A floor made in accordance with my invention presents a surface of pleasing appearance and on which the danger of slipping is lessened to a hazard which is negligible. Besides this, the non-slip floor is a most desir able substitute for mats as it is sanitary due to the fact that it can be washed in the same manner as a marble or terrazzo floor. It is well known how unsanitary mats have been found and the expense incidental to their removal for cleaning, which is a most diflicult task particularly where the mats are perforated.

I claim 1. A floor having a plurality of non-slip plates, each of said plates being seated in a separate metallic shell, and angularly disposed studs integral with said shell and extending in substantially opposite directions for simultaneously anchoring the plate and shell in said floor.

2. A floor having a plurality of non-slip plates each of said plates being seated in a separate metallic shell, lugs integral with said shell, struck out from the bottom of said shell and extending in substantially opposite directions for anchoring the shell and plate in said floor.

3. A floor having a plurality of non-slip plates, each of said plates being seated in a separate metallic shell, the tops of said plates being flush with the rim of said shell, lugs integral with said shell, struck out from the bottom of said shell and being so positioned as to simultaneously anchor the plate and shell in said floor.

4. A floor having a plurality of non-slip plates, each of said plates being seated in a separate metallic shell, and studs on said shell and extending in substantially opposite directions for simultaneously anchoring the plate and shell in said floor.

5. An inlay for a non-slip floor comprising a metallic shell for seating a plate forming a tread, and studs on said shell and extending in substantially opposite directions for simultaneously anchoring the plate and shell in the floor.

6. An inlay for a non-slip floor comprising a metallic shell for seating a plate forming a tread, and studs integral with said shell and extending in substantially opposite directions for simultaneously anchoring the plate and shell in the floor.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

DANIEL J. MURNANE. 

